Two wins in remaining games would still clinch conference championship
Miami Dutch Lions FC (5-2-1) missed a unique chance to be able to secure the conference championship next week vs Storm, losing 0-2 last night vs Miami United (6-2-0). They now have to win their remaining two games vs Storm FC and Miami United in the coming two weeks.
The game started off slow. Miami dropped back and gave the Lions the chance to build up from the back. But as soon as the ball was played in the midfield or to number 9 Max Busch they marked very close. This resulted in a slow game with both teams being very careful. This changed after half an hour. The Lions had the first chance in the 33rd minute when the ball was played to the left by Max Busch to Presten Manthey but his shot went just over the crossbar. One minute later a long diagonal ball from Miami United to the left winger, who controlled the ball on his chest and went inside where a a Dutch Lions defender held him down making the referee give a PK. Peter Wenzel came up with an amazing save to keep the score 0-0. In the 38th minute the Lions had a great chance when Max Busch dropped low and recieved the ball in the midfield, turned open and played the ball over the defense to Presten Manthey who came inside and played the ball in one time but just over the crossbar. In the 43rd minute Miami United almost scored the first goal but the header went inches over the crossbar after a good cross from the right. The first half ended in 0-0.
In the second half Miami United was able to score in the 55th minute. A corner kick was headed in but Peter Wenzel came up with another big save, the ball was not cleared properly twice and shot in goal from close range. The Lions almost score the equalizer on a nice “placed” ball from the top right corner of the box, but the goalkeeper came up with a nice save. In the 75th minute another good chance when Max Busch dribbles passed the defender on the top of the box but his shot misses power and goes right in the hands of the goalkeeper. In the 80th minute Riki Soto came inside and took a shot from 20 yards out but again the goalkeeper had a great save. Lars van der Vlugt almost scored with a header from the corner kick that was given, but the ball went just wide. In the final minute of the game the Lions got another corner kick and even Peter Wenzel joined in the box. But the ball was cleared and in the counter attack Miami United was able to score 0-2.
The Lions are back in action next weekend when they travel to Storm FC (0-8-0). Because Naples United tied Central Florida Panthers a win vs Storm FC would make the last game on July 10 vs Miami United the conference championship game.
